Shepherd Dogs Research Articles

Characterization, registration and gazette notification

The first animal to be domesticated by the man was dog which probably occurred at least 14,000 years ago- the animals being used for hunting and as watchdogs. In India many exotic dog breeds (mainly German Shepherd, Labrador, Doberman, Pomeranian etc) are kept as pet but little emphasis has been given to the native dog breeds. Some Indian breeds of dogs reported in India are Caravan Hound, Combai, Chippiparai, Rajapalayam, Rampur Hound, Kanni, Mudhol Hound, Indian Mastiff (Bulli), Himalayan sheep dog, Bhutia dogs, Bhakarwal dogs etc. ICAR-NBAGR has developed methodology for characterization of dog breeds of Indian through systematic survey in the area of its distribution along with Breed Descriptors format for dog breeds. Phenotypic characterization of two indigenous dog breeds viz Rajapalayam and Chippiparai were completed by ICAR-NBAGR. Rajapalayam and Chippiparai dogs are exclusively reared for guarding the farm and farm houses. Chippiparai dogs are even given to brides during marriage. There is huge demand for the pups of these dog breeds. State of Karnataka has also completed the characterization of Mudhol hound breed. All three dog have been registered by ICAR & Gazette notified by Govt. of India.

Molecular and Immunological Characterization and Incidence Rate of Hydatid Cyst Isolated from Liver and Lungs for Human in Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Objective: This study aimed to identify characteristics, location, cyst stage, and species/genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. complex in humans from the Kurdistan region, Iraq. Surgical removal of 25 echinococcal cysts from 22 patients in Dohuk and Zakho cities (January 2020 to December 2022) was analyzed. Methods: Characteristics of 22 surgically confirmed cystic echinococcosis (CE) cases, including anatomical site, cyst fertility, and patientdemographics, were examined. Molecular analysis using mitochondrial NAD5 gene confirmed genotypes G1 or G3 of E. granulosus s.s.,indicating sheep–dog–human transmission. Results: Liver (78.6% fertile, 21.4% sterile) and lungs (81.8% fertile, 18.2% sterile) were the most common anatomical sites for CE in females (59.1%) compared to males (40.9%). All analyzed samples belonged to genotypes G1 or G3. No statistically significant correlation was found between genotypes and variables such as fertility, location, and cyst stage. Conclusion: The study underscores the prevalence of genotypes G1 or G3 in the E. granulosus s.l. complex, confirming sheep–dog–human transmission in Kurdistan, Iraq. Recommendations include monitoring and control programs in sheep and dog populations and public health education campaigns to reduce the risk of acquiring CE in humans.

The surveillance of plague among rodents and dogs in Western Iran.

The causative agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, is maintained in nature via a flea-rodent cycle. Western Iran is an old focus for plague, and recent data indicate that rodents and dogs in this region have serological evidence of Y. pestis infection. The purpose of this study was to conduct a large-scale investigation of Y. pestis infection in shepherd dogs, rodents, and their fleas in old foci for plague in Western Iran. This study was conducted in Hamadan province from 2014 to 2020. Rodents and fleas were collected from various locations throughout this region. Y. pestis was investigated in rodent spleen samples and fleas using culture, serology, and real-time PCR methods. Additionally, sera samples were collected from carnivores and hares in this region, and the IgG antibody against the Y. pestis F1 antigen was assessed using an ELISA. In this study, 927 rodents were captured, with Meriones spp. (91.8%) and Microtus qazvinensis (2.6%) being the most prevalent. A total of 6051 fleas were collected from rodents and carnivores, most of which were isolated from Meriones persicus. None of the rodents or fleas examined tested positive for Y. pestis using real-time PCR and culture methods. Meanwhile, IgG antibodies were detected in 0.32% of rodents. All serologically positive rodents belonged to M. persicus. Furthermore, none of the sera from the 138 carnivores (129 sheepdogs, five Vulpes vulpes, four Canis aureus), and nine hares tested positive in the ELISA test. This primary survey of rodent reservoirs shows serological evidence of Y. pestis infection. Western Iran is an endemic plague focus, and as such, it requires ongoing surveillance.

A cross-sectional investigation of Leptospira at the wildlife-livestock interface in New Zealand.

There has been a recent upsurge in human cases of leptospirosis in New Zealand, with wildlife a suspected emerging source, but up-to-date knowledge on this topic is lacking. We conducted a cross-sectional study in two farm environments to estimate Leptospira seroprevalence in wildlife and sympatric livestock, PCR/culture prevalence in wildlife, and compare seroprevalence and prevalence between species, sex, and age groups. Traps targeting house mice (Mus musculus), black rats (Rattus rattus), hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) and brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) were set for 10 trap-nights in March-April 2017 on a dairy (A) and a beef and sheep (B) farm. Trapped wild animals and an age-stratified random sample of domestic animals, namely cattle, sheep and working dogs were blood sampled. Sera were tested by microagglutination test for five serogroups and titres compared using a Proportional Similarity Index (PSI). Wildlife kidneys were sampled for culture and qPCR targeting the lipL32 gene. True prevalence in mice was assessed using occupancy modelling by collating different laboratory results. Infection profiles varied by species, age group and farm. At the MAT cut-point of ≥ 48, up to 78% of wildlife species, and 16-99% of domestic animals were seropositive. Five of nine hedgehogs, 23/105 mice and 1/14 black rat reacted to L. borgpetersenii sv Ballum. The sera of 4/18 possums and 4/9 hedgehogs reacted to L. borgpetersenii sv Hardjobovis whilst 1/18 possum and 1/9 hedgehog reacted to Tarassovi. In ruminants, seroprevalence for Hardjobovis and Pomona ranged 0-90% and 0-71% depending on the species and age group. Titres against Ballum, Tarassovi and Copenhageni were also observed in 4-20%, 0-25% and 0-21% of domestic species, respectively. The PSI indicated rodents and livestock had the most dissimilar serological responses. Three of nine hedgehogs, 31/105 mice and 2/14 rats were carrying leptospires (PCR and/or culture positive). True prevalence estimated by occupancy modelling in mice was 38% [95% Credible Interval 26, 51%] on Farm A and 22% [11, 40%] on Farm B. In the same environment, exposure to serovars found in wildlife species was commonly detected in livestock. Transmission pathways between and within species should be assessed to help in the development of efficient mitigation strategies against Leptospira.

Black sheep, dark horses, and colorful dogs: a review on the current state of the Gene Ontology with respect to iron homeostasis in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Cellular homeostasis of the micronutrient iron is highly regulated in plants and responsive to nutrition, stress, and developmental signals. Genes for iron management encode metal and other transporters, enzymes synthesizing chelators and reducing substances, transcription factors, and several types of regulators. In transcriptome or proteome datasets, such iron homeostasis-related genes are frequently found to be differentially regulated. A common method to detect whether a specific cellular pathway is affected in the transcriptome data set is to perform Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Hence, the GO database is a widely used resource for annotating genes and identifying enriched biological pathways in Arabidopsis thaliana. However, iron homeostasis-related GO terms do not consistently reflect gene associations and levels of evidence in iron homeostasis. Some genes in the existing iron homeostasis GO terms lack direct evidence of involvement in iron homeostasis. In other aspects, the existing GO terms for iron homeostasis are incomplete and do not reflect the known biological functions associated with iron homeostasis. This can lead to potential errors in the automatic annotation and interpretation of GO term enrichment analyses. We suggest that applicable evidence codes be used to add missing genes and their respective ortholog/paralog groups to make the iron homeostasis-related GO terms more complete and reliable. There is a high likelihood of finding new iron homeostasis-relevant members in gene groups and families like the ZIP, ZIF, ZIFL, MTP, OPT, MATE, ABCG, PDR, HMA, and HMP. Hence, we compiled comprehensive lists of genes involved in iron homeostasis that can be used for custom enrichment analysis in transcriptomic or proteomic studies, including genes with direct experimental evidence, those regulated by central transcription factors, and missing members of small gene families or ortholog/paralog groups. As we provide gene annotation and literature alongside, the gene lists can serve multiple computational approaches. In summary, these gene lists provide a valuable resource for researchers studying iron homeostasis in A. thaliana, while they also emphasize the importance of improving the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Gene Ontology.

Rattractor-Instant guidance of a rat into a virtual cage using the deep brain stimulation.

We developed "Rattractor" (rat attractor), a system to apply electrical stimuli to the deep brain of a rat as it stays in a specified region or a virtual cage to demonstrate an instant electrophysiological feedback guidance for animals. Two wire electrodes were implanted in the brains of nine rats. The electrodes targeted the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), which is a part of the reward system in the deep brain. Following the recovery period, the rats were placed in a plain field where they could move freely, but wired to a stimulation circuit. An image sensor installed over the field detected the subject's position, which triggered the stimulator such that the rat remained within the virtual cage. We conducted a behavioral experiment to evaluate the sojourn ratio of rats residing in the region. Thereafter, a histological analysis of the rat brain was performed to confirm the position of the stimulation sites in the brain. Seven rats survived the surgery and the recovery period without technical failures such as connector breaks. We observed that three of them tended to stay in the virtual cage during stimulation, and this effect was maintained for two weeks. Histological analysis revealed that the electrode tips were correctly placed in the MFB region of the rats. The other four subjects showed no apparent preference for the virtual cage. In these rats, we did not find electrode tips in the MFB, or could not determine their positions. Almost half of the rats tended to remain inside the virtual cage when position-related reward stimuli were triggered in the MFB region. Notably, our system did not require previous training or sequential interventions to affect the behavioral preferences of subjects. This process is similar to the situation in which sheep are chased by a shepherd dog in the desired direction.

Differential expression of Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP2) gene in canine mammary tumour

Mammary tumour is the second most common cancer among dogs, just after skin cancer, accounting about fifty per cent of all tumours among dogs. Certain breeds like English Springer Spaniel, Boxer, Poodle, Bull Mastiff, German Shepherd, Cocker Spaniel, Dachshund and Fox Terrier dogs showed higher risk of incidence of mammary tumour, whereas certain other breeds like Collie, Shetland Sheep dog and Bernese Mountain Dog were considered to be at low risk. This breed predilection suggested that genetic factors play a role in canine mammary neoplasms. The role of numerous genes in canine mammary tumour (CMT) development and progression have been investigated, but the importance of the microenvironment is frequently disregarded as far as CMT is considered. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2, commonly referred to as TIMP2, is one of several genes that influence the microenvironment of tumours. The interaction between Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) and TIMP2 is crucial for the invasion, development, and metastasis of tumours. The relative mRNA expression level of TIMP2 was examined in the current investigation in both CMT-affected and normal glands. A ten -fold reduced expression of TIMP2 was found in tumour samples than normal glands, which was statistically significant.

:Hunde in der römischen Antike: Rassen/Typen - Zucht - Haltung und Verwendung

:<i>Hunde in der römischen Antike: Rassen/Typen - Zucht - Haltung und Verwendung</i>

ԲՐՈՒՑԵԼՈԶԻ ՏԱՐԱԾՎԱԾՈՒԹՅՈՒՆԸ ԵՐԵՎԱՆ ՔԱՂԱՔԻ ԹԱՓԱՌՈՂ ՇՆԵՐԻ ՊՈՊՈՒԼՅԱՑԻԱՅՈՒՄ

Brucellosis is endemic in Armenia. Test slaughtering is used to fight Brucellosis in large and small ruminants. Cross-contamination among the various types of animals with various types of causative agents may contribute to the permanent existence of the epizootic chain. A study is being conducted to determine whether brucellosis is present among stray dogs in Yerevan (Capital of RA). The Rose Bengal test (RBT), serum agglutination test (SAT), and indirect and competitive ELISA tests were performed on 384 blood samples from stray dogs in Yerevan. The competitive ELISA detects only specific antibodies against B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis and differentiates the Brucella 19 strain. According to the diagnostic algorithm for final diagnosis, positive samples by RBT must be confirmed by two other tests. Out of 384 samples tested by RBT, 17 (4.4 %) were positive. Out of 384 samples, 11 (2.9 %) were positive by SAT, 9 samples (2.3 %) tested positive by indirect ELISA, and 16 samples (4.2 %) tested positive by competitive ELISA. We have shown the presence of Brucella spp. among stray dogs in Yerevan. It is necessary to implement additional studies among dog (particularly shepherd dogs) populations in marzes with a higher prevalence of Brucellosis. These additional results will provide an opportunity to evaluate the role of dogs in ensuring a stable epizootic chain of Brucellosis among agricultural animals. They will contribute to a strategy design for preventing the spread of disease.

Sivas İlinde Bulunan Aksaray Malaklısı Köpeklerinin Sağırlık Yönünden Araştırılması

Aksaray Malaklısı Türkiye’nin yerli genetik kaynaklarından olan bir köpek ırkıdır. Bu çalışmada Sivas ilinde yetiştirilen Aksaray Malaklısının duyma ve işitmesine yönelik mevcut durumun ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Sivas il merkezi ve Kangal ilçesindeki 3 işletmede bulunan toplam 34 adet Aksaray Malaklısı çoban köpeğinde Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) testi ile sağırlık tarama işlemi gerçekleştirilmiş ve 20, 40, 60 ve 80 desibeller (dB) yönünden duyma eşikleri elde edilmiştir. Daha sonra köpekler hiçbir ayrıma tabi tutulmadan tek grup olacak şekilde genel, cinsiyet, kulağı kesik olup olmaması ve yaş aralığına göre gruplandırılmış ve her iki kulağa ait dalga boyları yönünden karşılaştırılmaları da yapılmıştır. Grup karşılaştırılmalarında genel grubunda bağımsız gruplarda t-testi, cinsiyet ve kulağın kesik olup olmaması durumuna göre oluşturulan gruplarda Mann Whitney U testi ve yaş grubunda ise Kruskal-Wallis testi uygulanmıştır. Tüm istatistiksel analizler SPSS v.25 paket programında gerçekleştirilmiştir. Çalışma sonucunda, toplam 2 hayvanda tek taraflı (sol taraf) sağırlığın bulunduğu tespit edilmiştir. Grupların karşılaştırılması sonucunda ise hiçbir grupta ve hiçbir dalga boyutunda istatistiksel olarak önemlilik tespit edilememiştir (P&gt;0.05). Bu çalışmada farklı olarak yaş gruplarında yaş ilerledikçe duyma duyusunda azalma olmadığı, cinsiyetler arasında da farklılık olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma Aksaray Malaklısı çoban köpeklerinde sağırlık taramasının yapıldığı ilk çalışma olma özelliğine sahiptir. Çalışma başta Aksaray Malaklısının yetiştirildiği Aksaray ilindeki yetiştirici elindeki hayvanları da içerecek şekilde genişletilmesi gerekmektedir.

История промысла среднеазиатской черепахи Agrionemys hors-fieldii (Testudinidae, Reptilia) в Узбекистане и его влияние на численность популяций

The harvesting of the Central Asian tortoise has been a longstanding practice in Uzbekistan. Throughout the 1930s–1950s, this species was harvested to feed farm livestock and shepherd dogs, and during the World War II, tortoise meat was used to provide additional nutrition to the people. The 1960s marked the start of commercial trade in tortoises. The annual volumes of legal harvesting of wild tortoises started to grow in the late 1990s, and reached 85 thousand specimens per year by 2017. The size of the populations at regular harvesting locations has dropped, and their gender and age composition has changed. The CITES export quota for tortoises bred in captivity was increased in 2018–2019 without valid justification, although small breeding centers have no capacity to breed the manifested quantities of animals. Consequently, Uzbekistan currently exports ranched individuals as well as young wild tortoises, mis-declared as bred in captivity. The export of Central Asian tortoises from Uzbekistan should be suspended temporarily until an expert assessment of the situation is made, and penalties for poaching these animals should be made more severe.

Long-term examinations of the lumbal disc and facet joint changes in 5 German Shepard dogs

The purpose of this first-time long-term observational study was to evaluate the changes of the caudal lumbar spine at the locations L5/6, L6/7, and L7/S1 in 5 German shepherd dogs over a 6-year time period using computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The dogs had a mean age of 26 months at the time of the first examination. In addition, it was evaluated whether a breeding examination, with regard to disc degeneration, is justified in young dog. The locations L7/S1, L6/7, and L5/6 were examined in more detail with regard to their signal intensity changes, the facet joint angle changes in dorsal (dors) and transverse (trans) planes, and disc surface changes in sagittal (sag) and transverse (trans) reconstruction planes with CT and MRT in 2015 and 2021. All data were collected computer-based and analyzed statistically. Subsequently, the results were compared to the measured signal intensity and to the subjective disc degeneration grading according to Seiler used in practice. Over the period of 6 years a significant loss of the measured signal intensity of the intervertebral discs in the transverse plane and an overall facet joint widening in the transverse plane of 0.54° as well as in the dorsal plane of 1.8° was evident. In addition, there was no evidence of a relationship between the size of the facet joint angle and the degree of disc degeneration. Furthermore, regardless of the initial degree of degeneration, the discs showed low signal intensity and higher Seiler grade during follow-up. The results of the present study group indicate that an inconspicuous condition of the lumbar intervertebral discs at the time of the initial breeding examination in the young dog does not allow an accurate prediction of the subsequent degree of degeneration and that there are ongoing remodeling processes at the facet joints even in healthy German shepherd dogs.

COMPARATIVE CHARACTERISTICS OF METHODS OF LIGATION OF OVARIAN VESSELS IN OVARIOGYSTEROECTOMY IN BITCHES

The dog is the most common type of pet. These are companion animals, shepherd dogs, and service animals, that is, they can perform many different functions, improving and simplifying human life. In turn, owners should closely monitor the health of their pet, including the reproductive system. Sterilization of female small domestic animals, including bitches, is an urgent issue of controlling their numbers, as well as preventing pathologies of their reproductive system. Currently, there are several basic techniques for performing ovariohysterectomy in bitches, namely, the ligation of ovarian vessels, their electrocoagulation using a bipolar electrocoagulator, by applying vascular clips. The purpose of this work was to comparatively characterize the methods of ligation of ovarian vessels in female ovariohysterectomy and to search for the most effective, with the least complications and cheaper method of vascular ligation in ovariohysterectomy of service females. Endoscopic sterilization of females is carried out by LigaSure electrofusion (the technology of "soldering" blood vessels with electrosurgical instruments), so this method seems to be relevant when performing laparotomic ovariohysterectomy in bitches. In the course of the research, it was found that the ligation of ovarian vessels using the Ligash electrocoagulator is less traumatic, simpler, and the time of the surgical operation is reduced. During this manipulation, the contact of the surgeon's hands with the abdominal organs of the animal is minimized, which eliminates the occurrence of postoperative infections, tissue injury and pain after sterilization. This technique is carried out without the use of suture material, so there is no risk of complications in the form of its rejection or the development of an adhesive process.

Rapid autologous point‐of‐care transplantation of the adipose‐derived stromal vascular fraction in a dog with cubarthrosis

AbstractA 1‐year‐old shepherd dog was presented in the veterinary hospital due to left‐sided cubarthrosis and persisting weight‐bearing lameness of the left forelimb after a fragmented coronoid process in the left elbow joint had been removed at the age of 6 months. An autologous point‐of‐care transplantation of adipose tissue‐derived regenerative cells was performed using ARC System (InGeneron, Houston, TX, USA). Pre‐ and postoperative investigations included orthopaedic and radiographic examinations, gait analyses as well as two owner questionnaires, Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs and Canine Brief Pain Inventory. After 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months of treatment, the dog showed an improvement of peak vertical force and vertical impulse in the gait analyses as well as. The Canine Brief Pain Inventory and the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs revealed an improvement of the quality of life within all further control visits up to 12 months after the therapy.

Molecular detection and genotyping of Taenia hydatigena between intermediate (sheep and goats) and final hosts (stray dogs) in Baghdad city

Taenia hydatigena cestode parasite found in the intestine of dogs and larval stage Cysticercus tenuicollis located in visceral organs of intermediate hosts (sheep and goats). In this study, investigate the genetic variation among the recovered isolates from sheep, goats, and stray dogs in Baghdad city, based on the mitochondrial cox1 gene. After DNA extraction, the PCR that was used indicated the specificity at the band (450bp) on the agarose gel. Sequencing and phylogenetic results were divided into three groups depending on the closed relationship between them and to NCBI-Blast T. hydatigena.

Insights into Human Cystic Echinococcosis in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq: Characteristics and Molecular Identification of Cysts.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected worldwide distributed parasitic disease caused by the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) species complex. For a better understanding of the pathways of transmission of this parasite, clinical and molecular epidemiological studies are particularly needed from endemic areas where data are scant, such as in the Middle East. The study aimed to identify the characteristics, location, cyst stage and species/genotypes of E. granulosus s.l. complex in humans from the Kurdistan region, Iraq. To this aim, from June 2019 to February 2021, 64 echinococcal cysts were surgically removed from 62 patients in Azadi and Vajeen reference Hospitals at Duhok city, Duhok governorate (Kurdistan region, Iraq). The results confirmed the liver as the most common anatomical site of CE with 72.58% of the cases, followed by the lungs in 19.35%, while 66.13% of CE cases were females. The highest rate of infections occurred in the age class 21–30 (27.42%). High rates of CE were reported among patients living in rural areas and housewives, which were 54.84% and 43.55% of the CE patients, respectively. The fertility of echinococcal cysts was 82.81%, and the viability of fertile protoscoleces was 70.53%. Cysts were staged with ultrasound according to the WHO-IWGE classification as 32.8% CE1, 32.8% CE2, 7.8% CE3a, 9.4% CE3b, 15.6% CE4 and 1.6% CE5. Molecular analyses using mitochondrial NAD5 gene showed that all analyzed samples (n = 59) belonged to the genotypes G1 or G3 of E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.), thus, confirming sheep–dog–human transmission in the Kurdistan region, Iraq. No statistically significant correlation was found between the genotypes G1–G3 of E. granulosus s.s. and variables, such as the fertility, location and cyst stage classification. Based on the present findings, it is necessary to implement monitoring and control programs in sheep and dog populations to decrease the odds of human infections. Public health education campaigns are required to be implemented at the community level to reduce the risk of acquiring CE in humans in the Kurdistan region, Iraq.

Temporospatial and kinetic gait analysis in Aksaray Malaklı Shepherd dogs

The present study aimed to determine the gait parameters of Aksaray Malaklı Shepherd dogs in order to identify the breedspecific gait characteristics and obtain the reference values for early diagnosis of the diseases. The force data were classified and analyzed based on plantar areas. For this purpose, 20 Aksaray Malaklı Shepherd dogs (10 females and 10 males) that were 18?36 months old were used. The dogs to be included in the study underwent a preliminary examination for lameness and the healthy ones were detected. Pressure-sensitive gait analysis system was used to obtain gait data. The dogs walked on the pressure platform for two rounds including an average of 20 steps in each at normal walking speed and temporospatial analysis, kinetic gait analysis, and postural static analysis were conducted. The plantar pressure distribution parameters, maximum pressure (N/cm$^{2}$), maximum force (N), and time maximum of contact phase (%) were analyzed. It was found that the dog carried 66.55% of its total weight on its forelimbs and 33.45% of its total weight on its hindlimbs at postural stance and the difference between them was statistically significant. The maximum force was applied in the third and fourth digital pads in the forelimb and hindlimb. The force values on metapodial pads were lower than those of the other plantar areas. While the mean stance and swing phases were respectively 63.79% and 36.21% for forelimb, they were 56.38% and 43.62%, respectively, for hindlimb. Both static and all kinetic data revealed that a higher force was generated on the forelimb compared to the hindlimb during walking. Anatomically specific walking characteristics of the animals can be revealed using gait analysis systems. It is also a quite beneficial method for veterinary orthopedics that is based on visual examination.

Editor's Column

Editor's Column

Computed tomography findings in a cohort of 169 dogs with elbow dysplasia - a retrospective study

BackgroundCanine elbow dysplasia (CED) is a complex developmental skeletal disorder associated with a number of pathological conditions within the cubital joint. Because CED is a heritable disease, it is important to identify and remove the affected animals from breeding. The first objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of medial coronoid process disease (MCPD) without (MCD) or with (FMCP) fragmented medial coronoid process, osteochondrosis (OC) and/or osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), ununited anconeal process (UAP), radio-ulnar incongruence (INC R-U) and humero-ulnar incongruence (INC H-U) in dogs with the use of CT imaging. The second aim was to determine the influence of demographics on the prevalence of investigated pathologies in dogs with clinical evidence of elbow dysplasia.ResultsIn this retrospective study, CT data records of 169 dogs of different breeds presented to the small animal veterinary clinic from 2012 to 2018 were included. 69.23% of dogs diagnosed with CED were young (≤ 2 years old). The mean age of dogs presented with INC R-U was 1.68 ± 1.82 years, while in dogs without INC R-U the mean age was 2.64 ± 2.59 years. The mean age of dogs with INC H-U was 1.94 ± 2.06 years, while without INC H-U 3.29 ± 2.09 years. Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherd and Bernese Mountain dogs were most frequently presented with CED-associated lameness. In 122 dogs OA of varying severity was found.ConclusionINC H-U, FMCP and MCD were among the most frequently found components of CED found in the present study. OCD and UAP were the least frequently diagnosed. Dogs presented with INC R-U and INC H-U were significantly younger than dogs without these CED components. Boxers, Dog de Bordeaux, American Staffordshire terriers and mixed-breed dogs were diagnosed later in life than the other breeds. OA of varying severity was found in 72.18% of dogs. Males accounted for more than 75% of the study population.

Tick distribution and detection of Babesia and Theileria species in Eastern and Southern Kazakhstan

Piroplasmosis is an economically important tick-borne disease worldwide. However, little is known about the presence of Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. in ticks in Eastern and Southern Kazakhstan (ESK). During 2016 – 2019, adult ticks (at 26 sampling sites in 16 districts of 5 oblasts in ESK) were collected. Tick species were identified according to morphological and molecular characteristics. Two fragments (487 bp and 438 bp) of 18S ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) were used to determine piroplasm species in representative 698 ticks. The genotype characteristics of Babesia caballi and Theileria equi were further analyzed by longer 18S rRNA gene fragments. A total of 6107 adult ticks (4558 parasitizing ticks and 1549 off-host ticks), including 4665 hard ticks and 1442 soft ticks, were collected from their natural hosts (cattle, horses, sheep, camels, shepherd dogs and hedgehogs) and the surrounding environment, respectively. Among the hard tick species, Dermacentor marginatus (62.59%, 2920/4665) was the most abundant, followed by Hyalomma asiaticum (19.36%, 903/4665) and Hyalomma detritum (9.95%, 464/4665). All soft ticks were identified as Argas persicus. 16S ribosomal DNA (16S rDNA) phylogenic analysis showed that several tick species in Kazakhstan, as exemplified by Haemaphysalis erinacei and D. marginatus, clustered together with conspecific ticks reported from China. Five species of piroplasms, i.e. Babesia occultans, Babesia caballi, Theileria ovis, Theileria annulata and Theileria equi, were detected in 698 representative ticks. Genotype E of T. equi in Almaty, and genotype A of B. caballi in Almaty and South Kazakhstan were identified.